The Urgency of Interstitial Cystitis — How Diet Can Improve a Crippling Disease

In the February 2014 issue of Today’s Dietitian, one of the most widely read periodicals serving nutrition professionals, ICN Moderator Julie Beyer RD discusses the unique diet needs of patients with interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome. As an IC patient, Julie was the first dietitian to lobby for dietary changes that were later supported by studies demonstrating that certain foods do irritate the bladder.

In “The Urgency of Interstitial Cystitis — How Diet Can Improve a Crippling Disease“, Julie introduces the IC diet to other dietitians, providing tips on foods which are the most irritating and suggesting the use of an elimination diet to fine tune and personalize each patients food list. She also provides sage advice on working with IC patients. She says “It’s important to note that most IC patients look perfectly fine on the outside yet are in incredible pain on the inside…They may experience social and relationship challenges because they’re homebound and even may miss appointments because of their symptoms. If they call to cancel repeatedly, that’s probably when they need you the most.”

This is a vital message to share. Many IC patients rely on dietitians to guide them through diet modification, yet comparatively few are knowledgeable about IC. One area of concern are dietitians who develop menus for skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. It’s not unusual for IC patients to be given coffee and cranberry juice, which can badly irritate an IC bladder. Patients often have to speak out and, in many cases, educate those professionals who are charged with their care.

We say {{{{Congratulations}}}} to Julie and a well deserved {{{Thank You}}} to author Juliann Schaeffer and the staff of Today’s Dietitian for sharing this vital information!! Diet modification is easy to do and can dramatically improve some bladder symptoms. They are encouraged in Step One of the AUA Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of IC.

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My Google Profile+ Jill Heidi Osborne is the president and founder of the Interstitial Cystitis Network, a health education company dedicated to interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome and other pelvic pain disorders.
As the editor and lead author of the ICN and the IC Optimist magazine, Jill is proud of the academic recognition that her website has achieved. The University of London rated the ICN as the top IC website for accuracy, credibility, readability and quality. (Int Urogynecol J - April 2013). Harvard Medical School rated both Medscape and the ICN as the top two websites dedicated to IC. (Urology - Sept 11). Jill currently serves on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Panel (US Army) where she collaborates with researchers to evaluate new IC research studies for possible funding. Jill has conducted and/or collaborates on a variety of IC research studies on new therapeutics, pain care, sexuality, the use of medical marijuana, menopause and the cost of treatments, shining a light on issues that influence patient quality of life.
An IC support group leader and national spokesperson for the past 20 years, she has represented the IC community on radio, TV shows, at medical conferences. She has written hundreds of articles on IC and its related conditions.
With a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacology and a Masters in Psychology, Jill was named Presidential Management Intern (aka Fellowship) while in graduate school. (She was unable to earn her PhD due to the onset of her IC.) She spends the majority of her time providing WELLNESS COACHING for patients in need and developing new, internet based educational and support tools for IC patients, including the “Living with IC” video series currently on YouTube and the ICN Food List smartphone app! Jill was diagnosed with IC at the age of 32 but first showed symptoms at the age of 12.

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The ICN is a health education company dedicated to IC and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Rated the top patient website dedicated to IC in peer reviewed studies by Harvard (2011) and the Univ. of London (2013), our goal is to empower, educate and encourage patients and providers!